Geared torque converter with multi-plate clutches and planetary gearset

Abstract

The present invention is a device for transferring power flow from a multidisplacement engine to a transmission. The device includes an enclosed housing having a first shell on the engine side, a second shell on the transmission side, with the housing at least partially filled with oil and connected to an external oil pump. The device also includes a planetary gear set comprising an outer ring gear, a set of intermediate planet gears contained within a planet carrier, and a sun gear attached to a stator, a first clutch pack connecting the housing and the ring gear when engaged, a piston means designed to engage the first clutch pack, and a second clutch pack which connects the ring gear with the sun gear when engaged. A preloaded diaphragm spring connects the second clutch pack with the ring gear. First and second damper spring assemblies are also disclosed.

1. A device for transferring power flow between a multidisplacement engine and a transmission comprising:
 an enclosed housing having a first shell on the engine side and nonrotatably connected to the drive shaft/crankshaft of the engine, a second shell on the transmission side, and an axis of rotation, said housing being at least partially filled with oil and connected to an oil pump outside said housing; 
 an opening on said second shell for receiving a transmission input shaft from said transmission; 
 a hub located within said housing, said hub nonrotatably connected to said transmission input shaft; 
 a planetary gear set comprising an outer ring gear, a set of intermediate planet gears contained within a planet carrier, and a sun gear attached to a stator; 
 a first clutch pack comprising a plurality of friction discs connecting said housing and said ring gear when engaged; 
 a piston means said piston means designed to engage said first clutch pack; 
 a second clutch pack comprising a plurality of friction plates, said second clutch pack connecting said ring gear with said sun gear when engaged; 
 a preloaded diaphragm spring connecting said second clutch pack with said ring gear; 
 a first damper spring assembly arranged between said housing and said first clutch pack; and, 
 a second damper spring assembly arranged between said piston means and said input shaft. 
 
     
     
       2. The device as recited in  claim 1  further comprising a pair of scoops to provide cooling oil to said device. 
     
     
       3. The device as recited in  claim 2  wherein said pair of scoops is located between said second housing shell and said second clutch pack. 
     
     
       4. The device as recited in  claim 2  wherein one of said pair of scoops is attached to said sun gear. 
     
     
       5. The device as recited in  claim 2  wherein one of said pair of scoops is fixed to said stator. 
     
     
       6. The device as recited in  claim 1  wherein said second shell comprises at least one channel for receiving oil, said oil supplied by a pump outside said device. 
     
     
       7. The device as recited in  claim 6  further comprising at least one outlet channel to return said oil to said pump. 
     
     
       8. The device as recited in  claim 1  wherein to provide power flow through said device to said transmission, said driveshaft/crankshaft connection to said first shell rotates said shell thereby providing oil pressure to said piston means to engage said first clutch pack to said ring gear and said planet carrier to said input shaft. 
     
     
       9. The device as recited in  claim 8  wherein as said oil pressure increases to overcome said preload on said diaphragm spring thereby engaging said ring gear and said sun gear and disengaging said planet carrier to provide a 1:1 ratio between said driveshaft/crankshaft rotation and said input shaft rotation. 
     
     
       10. The device as recited in  claim 1  wherein said nonrotatable connection to the drive shaft/crankshaft includes a flywheel. 
     
     
       11. The device as recited in  claim 1  wherein said nonrotatable connection to the drive shaft/crankshaft includes a flexplate. 
     
     
       12. The device as recited in  claim 1  wherein said first damper includes a plurality of pairs of coil springs, one of said plurality of pairs nestled inside the second of said pair of coil springs. 
     
     
       13. The device as recited in  claim 1  wherein said second damper includes a plurality of pairs of coil springs, one of said plurality of pairs nestled inside the second of said pair of coil springs. 
     
     
       14. A drive train comprising:
 a multidisplacement engine; 
 an automatic transmission, said automatic transmission including a transmission oil pump; and, 
 a device for transferring power flow between the multidisplacement engine and a transmission, said device comprising:
 an enclosed housing having a first shell on the engine side and nonrotatably connected to the drive shaft/crankshaft of the engine, a second shell on the transmission side, and an axis of rotation, said housing being at least partially filled with oil and connected to an oil pump outside said housing; 
 an opening on said second shell for receiving a transmission input shaft from said transmission; 
 a hub located within said housing, said hub nonrotatably connected to said transmission input shaft; 
 a planetary gear set comprising an outer ring gear, a set of intermediate planet gears contained within a planet carrier, and a sun gear attached to a stator; 
 a first clutch pack comprising a plurality of friction discs connecting said housing and said ring gear when engaged; 
 a piston means said piston means designed to engage said first clutch pack; 
 a second clutch pack comprising a plurality of friction plates, said second clutch pack connecting said ring gear with said sun gear when engaged; 
 a preloaded diaphragm spring connecting said second clutch pack with said ring gear; 
 a first damper spring assembly arranged between said housing and said first clutch pack; and 
 a second damper spring assembly arranged between said piston means and said input shaft. 
 
 
     
     
       15. The drive train as recited in  claim 14  further comprising a pair of scoops to provide cooling oil to said device. 
     
     
       16. The drive train as recited in  claim 15  wherein said pair of scoops is located between said second housing shell and said second clutch pack. 
     
     
       17. The drive train as recited in  claim 15  wherein one of said pair of scoops is attached to said sun gear. 
     
     
       18. The drive train as recited in  claim 15  wherein one of said pair of scoops is fixed to said stator. 
     
     
       19. The drive train as recited in  claim 14  wherein said second shell comprises at least one channel for receiving oil, said oil supplied by a pump outside said device. 
     
     
       20. The drive train as recited in  claim 19  further comprising at least one outlet channel to return said oil to said pump. 
     
     
       21. The drive train as recited in  claim 14  wherein to provide power flow through said device to said transmission, said driveshaft/crankshaft connection to said first shell rotates said shell thereby providing oil pressure to said piston means to engage said first clutch pack to said ring gear and said planet carrier to said input shaft. 
     
     
       22. The drive train as recited in  claim 21  wherein as said oil pressure increases to overcome said preload on said diaphragm spring thereby engaging said ring gear and said sun gear and disengaging said planet carrier to provide a 1:1 ratio between said driveshaft/crankshaft rotation and said input shaft rotation. 
     
     
       23. The drive train as recited in  claim 14  wherein said nonrotatable connection to the drive shaft/crankshaft includes a flywheel. 
     
     
       24. The drive train as recited in  claim 14  wherein said nonrotatable connection to the drive shaft/crankshaft includes a flexplate. 
     
     
       25. The drive train as recited in  claim 14  wherein said first damper includes a plurality of pairs of coil springs, one of said plurality of pairs nestled inside the second of said pair of coil springs. 
     
     
       26. The drive train as recited in  claim 14  wherein said second damper includes a plurality of pairs of coil springs, one of said plurality of pairs nestled inside the second of said pair of coil springs.